SO Wayne Bennett will be coaching South Sydney next season. Their supporters should be sceptical of that, with good reason. Look at the mess he left Newcastle in when he walked out four years ago. A SOLUTION to domestic violence could be simply ensuring men treat women as partners, not prey. A WEEK after Supercars were gone, you could be forgiven for thinking they were still coming to race with all the barriers, grandstands and no-go zones still in place. If this event generated more money and employment for Newcastle, where are the workers cleaning up on a Sunday? I'll even come in to do the donkey work if there's enough money to pay me double time. GREG Hunt (Short Takes, 1/12) absolutely agree there are different levels of heroes and heroism. Kurt Fearnley's achievements are absolutely amazing and truly inspiring. My heroes include the surgeons, doctors and nurses who have me back lap swimming 3 km a session each weekend after surgery twice in two years. Endurance motor racing has physical and mental challenges too; just ask David Reynolds after Bathurst this year. I WATCHED with interest as school children protested about climate change (‘‘Too young to vote but will be heard’’, Herald 1/12). With all due respect to these enlightened young activists, could they please enlighten this dinosaur on a few simple points: how did you get to the protest? What materials were the protest signs made from, and were these materials recycled? Did you go to McDonald's or KFC after the protest, and would you consider living without your mobile phone and other essential items that are manufactured courtesy of mining and coal-fired power? Ask your teachers about lithium mining. I look forward to a truthful and informed response. I BELIEVE that you have missed the point, Brendan Mackay, in your criticism of my opinion of the owners of the magazine White (Short Takes 30/11). I think it’s about discrimination, which should not be tolerated in Australia. In my opinion it’s like opening a business and putting up a sign stating that no gay, disabled, indigenous, Jewish or Muslim people would be served. It’s not okay. Let’s try living in harmony. I AGREE with Denise Lindus Trummel (Letters 30/11). I don’t want the alcohol serving hours increased in Newcastle. I believe it costs too much in anti-social behaviour like personal injury and property damage, in emergency room admissions and all those related costs, and in policing and jailing. It just isn’t worth it. The so-called Newcastle Solution has been copied by other cities because it works better for the whole of Society. Sorry to the owners of pubs and clubs, but the profits of those businesses shouldn’t be the primary concern in determining hours.

Short Takes December 5 2018: readers have their say on the day’s news

SO Wayne Bennett will be coaching South Sydney next season. Their supporters should be sceptical of that, with good reason. Look at the mess he left Newcastle in when he walked out four years ago.

David Davies, Blackalls Park

A SOLUTION to domestic violence could be simply ensuring men treat women as partners, not prey.

John Brown, Fingal Bay

A WEEK after Supercars were gone, you could be forgiven for thinking they were still coming to race with all the barriers, grandstands and no-go zones still in place. If this event generated more money and employment for Newcastle, where are the workers cleaning up on a Sunday? I'll even come in to do the donkey work if there's enough money to pay me double time.

Bryn Roberts, New Lambton

GREG Hunt (Short Takes, 1/12) absolutely agree there are different levels of heroes and heroism. Kurt Fearnley's achievements are absolutely amazing and truly inspiring. My heroes include the surgeons, doctors and nurses who have me back lap swimming 3 km a session each weekend after surgery twice in two years. Endurance motor racing has physical and mental challenges too; just ask David Reynolds after Bathurst this year.

Garry Blair, Maitland

I WATCHED with interest as school children protested about climate change (‘‘Too young to vote but will be heard’’, Herald 1/12). With all due respect to these enlightened young activists, could they please enlighten this dinosaur on a few simple points: how did you get to the protest? What materials were the protest signs made from, and were these materials recycled? Did you go to McDonald's or KFC after the protest, and would you consider living without your mobile phone and other essential items that are manufactured courtesy of mining and coal-fired power? Ask your teachers about lithium mining. I look forward to a truthful and informed response.

Steve Barnett, Fingal Bay

I BELIEVE that you have missed the point, Brendan Mackay, in your criticism of my opinion of the owners of the magazine White (Short Takes 30/11). I think it’s about discrimination, which should not be tolerated in Australia. In my opinion it’s like opening a business and putting up a sign stating that no gay, disabled, indigenous, Jewish or Muslim people would be served. It’s not okay. Let’s try living in harmony.

Denise Lindus Trummel, Mayfield

I AGREE with Denise Lindus Trummel (Letters 30/11). I don’t want the alcohol serving hours increased in Newcastle. I believe it costs too much in anti-social behaviour like personal injury and property damage, in emergency room admissions and all those related costs, and in policing and jailing. It just isn’t worth it. The so-called Newcastle Solution has been copied by other cities because it works better for the whole of Society. Sorry to the owners of pubs and clubs, but the profits of those businesses shouldn’t be the primary concern in determining hours.